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CHAPTER 1

MAGGIE

This wasn’t hoain And besides, I didn’t want a home--the word came with memories too painful to think about

I knewh the house They wanted me to like it here--there was a certain hopefulness in their eyes I didn’t re since I’d hoped for anything

"We gave you a room upstairs I painted it a pretty cotton-candy blue," Aunt Coralee informed me cautiously "I remembered that you liked blue"

It’s true that I had liked blue a few Christo Had even worn all blue one year I wasn’t necessarily a fan of it now, though

I followed boththe wall ht ahead I’d had those once too Photos that my mother proudly displayed on the walls of our home But those photos had been lies The smiles were never real

"Here it is," Aunt Coralee announced as she stopped halfway down the hall and opened the door to a large bedroo else hite

I liked it If I weren’t afraid of my own voice, I’d tell her thank you Instead I put down the backpack froed her That would have to be enough

"Well, I certainly hope you like my room," a deep voice drawled from the doorway

"Brady, don’t," Uncle Boone said in a stern voice

"What? I was just being nice," he replied "Kinda"

I only remembered my cousin Brady a little He had never played withoff with one of the buddies he’d brought with hiainst the doorfra into his eyes, a siven ood I didn’t want to take his roo a brat," Aunt Coralee explained quickly "He’s perfectly happy aboutto the attic room He’s been at us for two years to fix up that space for hie hand landed on my shoulder as Uncle Boone caie," he said in a voice that didn’t leave roo at me He looked annoyed at first, but his expression suddenly softened into so concern "Yeah, I remember her"

Uncle Boone continued, "You’ll need to show her around at school on Monday Y’all are in the sarade, and we made sure they put her in several of your classes so you could help her out" I had a feeling Brady already knew all this The inforhed and shook his head "Y’all don’t even know," heoff